1. Introduction to Thung Nai Hoa Binh

Thung Nai is a commune on the bank of Da River, belonging to Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh province, formerly the land of Muong Thang, one of the famous rich living places of the Muong. The name Thung Nai was given because in the past there were many deer in this valley, it's a combination of the valley and herd of deer.

In the 80s of the last century, when the new Da river hydroelectric plant was built and stored water, Thung Nai Hoa Binh became a huge reservoir, the high mountains formerly became undulating islands, creating a charming landscape.

Thung Nai is a place suitable for relaxing moments with family and friends, contemplating the scenery, enjoying nature.

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2. What season to go to Thung Nai Hoa Binh?

Traveling to Thung Nai, each season has its own beauty, but in the summer, from May to August, the air here is very fresh, cool and suitable to come to avoid the heat. Especially on weekends and full moon days, visitors can enjoy watching the moon on the Da River Hydroelectric lake because the moon on full moon days is extremely bright and beautiful.

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3. How to go to Thung Nai?

Thung Nai is about 100km far from Hanoi, so moving from Hanoi by car is the most convenient method for your trip. Buses to Hoa Binh depart from My Dinh and Luong Yen bus stations, averaging 10-15 minutes/trip. Arriving at Hoa Binh City Central Bus Station, you can catch a bus with a frequency of 50 minutes every time, the fare is 30,000 VND/pax going to Thung Nai port.

If you use a motorbike, it should be noted that the road to Hoa Binh is quite winding, with many sharp turns and sleeve bends. The vehicle needs to ensure the parameters of speed and safety. However, along the way has many beautiful landscapes for you to freely stop and take pictures. On the way, the trees on both sides are full of eyes, the road slopes continuously, so there is almost no need to throttle up, very suitable for backpacking with friends.

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4. Tourist attractions in Thung Nai

To Thung Nai, you should park your motorbike and car at Binh Thach wharf. From here, the only means of transportation to visit the lake is by boat. You should buy a package tour that includes taking a boat from the wharf to the island, eating, sleeping, sightseeing boat between tourist attractions from the motels on the lake.

Exploring the Da river hydroelectric lake by boat

The most interesting experience in Thung Nai is riding a boat around the lake. The boat floats on the blue water with the silhouettes of mountains and clouds, in the cool breeze. You will easily recognize the 3 largest islands in Thung Nai: Coconut Island, Windmill Island, and Green Island. This will be a moment of absolute relaxation for you to fully enjoy the feeling of lightness and relaxation amidst the charming, quiet nature filled with green.

Thac Bo Cave

Going deep into the cave, looking at the stalactites of many different shapes, you will realize how amazing and magnificent the beauty of nature is. Admire the masterpieces of stone art which are sparkling like crystals and even more brilliant when small lights shine in. 

In the dry season, visitors who want to visit the cave have to climb nearly 100 steps of stone from the foot of the mountain to the cave entrance. During the high water season, visitors go on a bamboo raft that runs about 50 meters long from the boat to the floating house and goes straight to the entrance of the cave. From the top of the cave, visitors can zoom out to see the whole magnificent Da river, enjoy the natural masterpieces of the Creator with overlapping mountains and the beauty of the mysterious cave.

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Trach stream

Here is an ideal natural swimming pool with clear, cool water that anyone who comes to Thung Nai Hoa Binh in the summer cannot ignore. The cool water from nature that flows through undulating rocks in the middle of the stream makes people feel extremely relaxed and comfortable.

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Thac Bo floating market

Every weekend morning of local people on Thac Bo floating market is when they meet together and exchange goods and small joys of the day.

Thac Bo floating market only opens on Sunday morning from early to 8 am, attracts trading boats from around the area, visitors who come here on the weekend should also visit once to have interesting experiences.

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Temple of Thac Bo Lady God

Thac Bo temple which is famous for its sacredness is always busy with pilgrims coming to worship. This temple is located in Da Bac district, Hoa Binh province. If you want to get to the temple, you have to climb more than 100 steps, then cross a gentle slope to get there.  Thac Bo Lord Temple is extremely worshiped by Hoa Binh people, here is the place where they smoke the incense to pray for their smooth life on the Da River.

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5. What to eat in Thung Nai?

Leaves tray

The leaves tray consists of Muong pork and offal. After the ingredients are cooked, they will be arranged in a certain order on a clean banana leaf tray, all on a small tray. In addition to Muong pork, the leaf tray also has raw vegetables and rice wrapped in banana leaves. The pork of the pigs roam freely on the hillside is very fragrant and firm. This is also a famous specialty of Thung Nai. Enjoying the delicious leaves is indispensable with spices dipped from Doi seeds and roasted salt. A full set of leaves tray represents the wish for a full and happy year of the Muong ethnic group in the early days of the new year.

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Jogging chicken

With mountainous terrain, chickens raised in Thung Nai are genuine jogging chickens. Chicken meat will be tougher and more fragrant than chicken raised in the lowlands. After the chicken is marinated with spices of the Muong ethnic group, it will be clamped to the tree branch and grilled over embers until it is well-grilled and edible.

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Da river's grilled fish

In Da river basin, grilled fish is a specialty. Fish is sold all year round, but in the wet season (September-October), milkfish, carp, and minnows are very many. If you have time, you should sit by the woodstove, grill fish and sip them with a few cups of wine in a poetic space.

Especially at the foot of Ba Chua Thac Bo temple, there are many delicious grilled fish for you to enjoy. A regular grilled fish skewer costs about 80,000 VND or more, you can buy it right away or bring it home as a gift.

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6. Hotel in Thung Nai Hoa Binh

Currently, Thung Nai still does not have many choices of motels, the two most popular ones are the Windmill Hostel and the Coconut Island guesthouse.

Windmill Guest House

The Windmill Lodge at Thung Nai Lake, Hoa Binh, was built by soldiers working at the Military Technical Academy. Each year, the money collected from guests coming to the motel is used to rebuild the house to be more comfortable.

Contact: 091 359 1943

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Coconut Island Guesthouse

Coconut Island guesthouse has a total area of ​​​​about 10 hectares, the area which is put into use is about 2 hectares. The guesthouse consists of 4 large stilt houses built in the traditional architecture of the Muong and Thai people. Each house can accommodate from 30 to 50 people. In addition, there are also 8 small stilt houses and a dining area that can serve 500 meals at the same time, an entertainment area, a collective activity area and facilities to serve the needs of tourists.

Contact: 0166 886 2663

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Green Island Hostel

As an island with the largest area compared to the islands in Hoa Binh lake, Green Island guesthouse offers visitors peaceful moments, with a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere and natural scenery.

Contact: 091 791 4378

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Source: collected